BIRD NOTES AND RECORDS OF MEETINGS, 1967 177
from one another by a gap of 100 metres. The mean density was
1213 nests or 24.26 breeding pairs per square mile. The present
1966 survey shows that there has been a considerable drop in
the numbers of rookeries, and also in the density. It is interesting
to note, however, that the areas supporting high densities remain
very nearly the same, i.e. Mid-central Essex, along the upper
valleys of rivers. Tree preferences also remain the same. The
average size of a rookery appears to have fallen from 22.2 nests
to 16.5.
Acknowledgments
The following have kindly sent in records: —Braintree County
High School Natural History Society, A. R. Bushell, R. Hawes,
K. Byrne, D. A. Jones, D. I. Chapman, D. R. Scott, Newport
Grammar School, B. Smith, J. Proctor, Miss D. Lambert, M. L.
Tarran, R. Brewster.
Reference
Darlington, A. (1957) Coturnix, 7.
Bird Notes and Records of Meetings - 1967
By M, T. Parker
Seven bird meetings were held in 1967, and were attended,
on the average, by 8 members. In addition to areas regularly
visited, meetings were also held on Galleywood Common and
Hylands Park, Chelmsford.
Epping Forest Survey Area, April 30. This meeting was
attended by 8 members. The weather was certainly kind as it
was fine and warm. Birds seen or heard were as follows: —
Chaffinch, Blackbird, Starling, Chiffchaff, Great Tit, Marsh or
Willow Tit, Coal Tit, Robin, Song Thrush, Wren, Stock Dove,
Wood Warbler, Willow Warbler, Cuckoo, Moorhen, Nuthatch,
Tree Pipit, Gold Crest, Blackcap, House Sparrow, Dunnock, Jay,
Wood Pigeon, Bullfinch. One interesting record of this meeting
was a male Wood Warbler in full song; this bird is very local
in Essex.
Hartswood, Childerditch, Thorndon Park, May 21. Held on
a fine, sunny and warm day. The meeting was attended by 5
members. Birds seen or heard were as follows: —Robin, Willow,
Warbler, Spotted Flycatcher, Dunnock, Redstart, Mistle Thrush,
Song Thrush, Magpie, Starling, Tree Pipit, Goldfinch, Great Tit,
Coal Tit, Jay, Common Whitethroat, Mallard, Chaffinch, Black-
cap, Chiffchaff, Nuthatch, Turtle Dove. Bullfinch, House Sparrow,
Wren, Wood Pigeon, Carrion Crow. Members were pleased to
see that Redstarts and Tree Pipits are still to be seen in
Hartswood.